Female pistachio tree named ‘Lost Hills’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of pistachio tree denominated ‘Lost Hills’ is described. This selections most significant advantage is the superior size and appearance of the in-shell nut. The variety is less chilling sensitive than ‘Kerman’ which improves uniformity of foliation, bloom, nut set, nut fill and uniformity of nut maturity at harvest.

Botanical/commercial classification: (Pistacia vera)/new Pistachio variety.

Variety denomination: ‘Lost Hills’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Pistachio tree Pistacia vera which has been denominated varietally as ‘Lost Hills,’ and more particularly to such a pistachio tree which has a harvest date of four to sixteen days earlier than the industry standard pistachio tree variety ‘Kerman’.

Its novel features include an earlier harvest than ‘Kerman’, an individual nut size larger than ‘Kerman’ and the percentage of split nuts greater than ‘Kerman’. The earlier harvest date will permit growers to extend their harvest period and reduce competition for scarce harvesting resources and will permit harvest in northern areas of the state before fall rains which can promote disease. The cultivar requires less chilling for dormancy than ‘Kerman’, which improves uniformity of foliation, bloom, pollination, nut filling and nut maturity at harvest in years with insufficient chilling for ‘Kerman’.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It was found that the new cultivar exhibits the following combination of characteristics as compared to ‘Kerman’, the industry standard: a)This cultivar produced 26% higher grower paid yield than ‘Kerman’, the primary cultivar grown on a commercial basis in California (<95% of the crop), totaled across all 3 years and equal to ‘Kerman’ in 2004; b) Nut size is on average larger than ‘Kerman’ and weight is similar; c) Percent splits were consistently higher than ‘Kerman’, especially in 2003; d) Flowering and harvest are 2 to 4 weeks earlier than ‘Kerman’. This earlier harvest date is important as it permits growers to more efficiently use their equipment and labor by spreading the harvest period across 6 weeks, rather than the current 3 week harvest period. Fruit ripening is also more uniform than was observed for ‘Kerman’; e) Earlier harvest resulted in significantly less naval orangeworm damage (0.3% vs. 9.3%). This is an important characteristic since nut damage on the tree is associated with aflatoxin contamination; and f) ‘Lost Hills’ buds were about 1 mm longer than ‘Kerman’ buds.

‘Lost Hills’ has been asexually reproduced in Kern County, Calif. and Madera County, Calif. The cultivar was propagated from buds, inserted into both ‘PG-1’ and ‘UCB1’ rootstocks (budded onto). All of the cultivars are present at field locations in Kern Co. and Madera Co. (test plots). In addition 2 trees of each have been budded on ‘UCB1’ rootstocks in pots at Davis, Calif. for planting into the field this spring. In addition Lost Hills is grafted onto ‘UCB1’ rootstock in the field at the Wolfskill experimental farm near Winters, Calif. at row 4, trees 11A and B.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Flowers and leaves from grafted trees at the Bakersfield test plot in 2003.

FIG. 2. ‘Lost Hills’ flowers—Mar. 31, 2004. About one week ahead of ‘Kerman’, flowers have set, end of bloom period.

FIG. 3. ‘Kerman’ flowers—Mar. 31, 2004, mid-bloom. Note that leafing is more advanced than for ‘Lost Hills’ even though flowering is later.

FIG. 4. Comparisons of ‘Lost Hills’ and ‘Kerman’ leaves and flowers—Mar. 31, 2004.

FIG. 5. Fruit clusters on ‘Lost Hills’ tree at Bakersfield plot, 2003.

FIG. 6. Picture of ‘Lost Hills’ trees at the Bakersfield test plot in 2003.

FIG. 7. Roasted seed harvested from ‘Lost Hills’ grafted trees in the Bakersfield plot, 2003.

FIG. 8. ‘Lost Hills’ and ‘Kerman’ roasted nuts.

FIG. 9. Year by variety mean values for total yield (CCP assessed weight).

FIG. 10. Year by variety mean values for yield of split nuts.

FIG. 11. Year by variety mean values for yield of % split nuts—untransformed data.

FIG. 12. Year by variety mean values for grower paid yield.

FIG. 13. Lenticel pictures from each of 5 trees for ‘Kerman’ and ‘Lost Hills’. The areas shown are 25 sq. cm, 5 cm on each side.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following description describes the key characteristics of a new female pistachio cultivar named ‘Lost Hills’ as well as reference to the standard pistachio cultivar ‘Kerman’ in California.

The Royal Horticultural Society color chart from 1986 is used in the identification of color. Also, common color terms are to be accorded their ordinary dictionary significance.

-   The cross: The cross that produced ‘Lost Hills’ was originally made     in 1990, and the original seedling was planted at a research plot in     1991 near Bakersfield, Calif. The cross was made between a Pistacia     vera female ‘2-35’, located in Kern County and propagated from wood     supplied to Joseph Maranto from a plot in California in 1985, and a     Pistacia vera male ‘ES#6’ originally from Chico, Calif. ES#6 is no     longer available. This selection from the cross was designated as     B19-12. Field notes on its performance were taken from 1994 to 1999.     Buds from this seedling tree were budded to rootstocks planted in     August 1997 in an advanced selection trial in a plot near Lost     Hills, Calif. Each plant selection is represented by 2 replicates of     10 trees grafted to ‘UCB1’ rootstock and 10 trees grafted to ‘PG-1’     rootstock per replicate. They first flowered in 2000. Performance     data was taken in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Nursery rootstock trees were     budded with this selection in 1997 and were used to plant a second     advanced selection trial in Madera County north of Fresno in     September 1999. Each plant selection is represented by two     replicates of 5 trees grafted to ‘UCB1’ and 5 trees grafted to     ‘PG-1’ per replicate. This selection flowered and fruited in 2003.     Performance data was taken in 2004. The cultivar is stable and no     significant differences in morphological or phenological     characteristics were observed when propagated on rootstocks. -   Tree vigor: The tree is of average size for a pistachio, based on     observation of 7 year old trees. Grafted trees are about 3 m tall at     7 years with a spread equal to the height. Trunk diameters are 10 to     15 cm. -   Tree structure: ‘Lost Hills’ has tree structure and branching habit     typical for Pistacia vera L. Branch angles are broad, ranging from     80 to 90 degrees for both scaffold and lateral branches.     Distribution of scaffold and lateral branches are a function of     pruning and training activities which are practiced intensively     during the first three years of growth (FIGS. 2 and 6). -   Bark: ‘Lost Hills’ bark color was identical to the bark color of     ‘Kerman’, specifically RHS 202D (grey). -   Trunk lenticels: Close up photo evaluation of trunk lenticels was     undertaken. No clear consistent differences in pattern were observed     between the 2 cultivars. The distribution and physical     characteristics of lenticels for ‘Lost Hills’ appeared to be quite     variable, perhaps more so than for ‘Kerman’. FIG. 13 shows sample     pictures from 5 trees of each cultivar. The area shown is 5 cm×5 cm.     ‘Kerman’ lenticels appear to be distinctly shorter and are more     widely spaced on the bark, both horizontally and vertically. The     color of the ‘Lost Hills’ lenticels ranged from RHS 172C (grey     orange) to RHS 199B-C (grey brown) as compared to ‘Kerman’, for     which the color of the lenticels was RHS 172D. The width of the     lenticels of ‘Lost Hills’ ranged from 1 to 2 mm, with an average of     1.5 mm. The width of the lenticels of ‘Kerman’ ranged from 1 to 2     mm, an average of 1.8 to 2.0 mm. The height of the lenticels from     both ‘Lost Hills’ and ‘Kerman’ was an average of 1 mm. -   Flower buds: Bud size analysis for ‘Lost Hills’ and ‘Kerman’ was     limited to bud length, since this was the only characteristic that     seemed to be different between the cultivars. The buds were much     thinner than for the males, making width measurements problematic.     10 buds per tree were measured for each of 5 trees. Within tree     differences were not found to be highly significant, so data for     each cultivar was bulked (eg. 50 buds per cv) and analyzed using a     completely random design. As can be seen from the data analysis, bud     length differences were highly significant. ‘Lost Hills’ buds were     about 1 mm longer than ‘Kerman’ buds. (Tables 1 and 2). The color of     the emerging inflorescence for ‘Lost Hills’ was RHS 145B while the     color of the emerging inflorescence for ‘Kerman’ was RHS 145C     (yellow-green).

TABLE 1 ANOVA Table for bud I (mm) Sum of Mean F- P- Pow- DF Squares Square Value Value Lambda er Cultivar 2 25.473 12.736 25.503 <.0001 51.007 1.000 Residual 147 73.411 .499 Means Table for bud I (mm) Effect: Cultivar Count Mean Std. Dev. Std. Err. Golden Hills 50 8.340 .626 .089 Kerman 50 7.476 .643 .091 Lost Hills 50 8.360 .832 .118

TABLE 2 Effect: Cultivar Significance Level: 5% Mean Diff. Crit. Diff. P-Value Fisher's PLSD for bud I (mm) Golden Hills, Kerman .864 .279 <.0001 S Golden Hills, Lost Hills <.020 .279 .8877 Kerman, Lost Hills <.884 .279 <.0001 S Scheffe for bud I (mm) Golden Hills, Kerman .864 .350 <.0001 S Golden Hills, Lost Hills <.020 .350 .9900 Kerman, Lost Hills <.884 .350 <.0001 S

-   Inflorescences: Female inflorescences are born laterally alternately     on branches, rarely as terminal buds. They are located on one year     old wood. The flower buds form a branched compound inflorescence of     the panicle form. Individual flowers are about 1 mm in size. All     flowers are female. The panicles are 5 to 8 cm long with     considerable variation in size. The panicles become more extended as     flowering progresses. Flowers become receptive from the base to the     tip of the panicle, and the total period of receptivity may spans a     3 week period, depending on weather conditions during individual     seasons. Flowers are pale green (RHS 144C) as are the supporting     structures of the panicles (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4). Comparisons with     ‘Kerman’ are provided in FIGS. 3 and 4. -   Flowering date:     Data from seedling test plot in Kern County, Calif.:     -   1996: For ‘Lost Hills’—Apr. 8, 1996     -   1997: For ‘Lost Hills’—first flowering Apr. 22, 1997 to Apr. 28,         1997, peak flowering Apr. 29, 1997 to May 5, 1997, last         flowering Apr. 29, 1997 to May 5, 1997; for ‘Kerman’—first         flowering Apr. 22, 1997 to Apr. 28, 1997, peak flowering Apr.         29, 1997 to May 5, 1997, last flowering—May 6, 1997 to May 13,         1997     -   1998: For ‘Lost Hills’—first flowering Apr. 4, 1998 to Apr. 11,         1998, peak flowering Apr. 12, 1998 to Apr. 19, 1998, last         flowering Apr. 20, 1998 to Apr. 27, 1998; for ‘Kerman’—first         flowering Apr. 20, 1998 to Apr. 27, 1998, peak flowering Apr.         28, 1998 to May 5, 1998, last flowering May 6, 1998 to May 13,         1998     -   1999: For ‘Lost Hills’—first flowering Mar. 13, 1999 to Mar. 16,         1999, peak flowering Mar. 17, 1999 to Mar. 21, 1999, last         flowering Mar. 21, 1999 to Mar. 26, 1999     -   2000: For ‘Lost Hills’—first flowering Apr. 8, 2000 to Apr. 13,         2000

Data from grafted test plot in Kern County: Trees were grafted on either ‘UCB1’ or ‘Pioneer Gold-1’ rootstocks. Visits to the two experimental sites were made at intervals of three to four days through the bloom period. In 2004 (8^(th) year since grafting), a bloom-rating of 1 through 6 was used with 1=dormant; 2=early bloom, 3=mid bloom, 4=full bloom and 5=late bloom. Bloom evaluation is subjective; the number of individual flowers in bloom within an inflorescence varies, as does the degree of flowering at different locations along a branch. Full bloom was an estimate of when the maximum number of receptive stigmas were present on the tree. On Mar. 25, 2004 ‘Lost Hills’ was at full or mid bloom (3.3), ‘Kerman’ was just beginning to break buds (1.5).

-   Leaves: The leaves are single parapinnate compound leaves with an     average number of leaflets of 3 or 5. The apex of the leaflet blades     is obtuse to cuspidate, and the leaflet base is rounded. The leaflet     margins are entire to slightly crenate. The leaflets are oval to     ovate. The terminal leaflet appears mucronate in some situations.     The leaflets are typically 3-5 cm wide and 4 to 7 cm long. The     compound leaf is typically 10 to 15 cm long. There is a considerable     variation in leaf and leaflet size depending on time of the season,     position in the tree, and year. The width of a compound leaf ranges     from 8 to 14 cm. The length of a compound leaf ranges from 10 to     15 cm. Margins of leaf blades are entire. Leaf surfaces are     glabrous, smooth and waxy. The color of the upper and lower surfaces     of the leaves ranges from light green (RHS 139B) at first emergence     to dark green (RHS 139A) at maturity (RHS 136A to RHS 136A). FIGS.     1, 2, and 4). The upper surfaces of the leaves of ‘Kerman’ range     from RHS 136A to RHS 139A at emergence to maturity (FIG. 4). The     leaf vein and petiole of ‘Lost Hills’ are a light yellowish green in     color (RHS149C to D). The petiole is 4 to 7 cm in length and the     texture is smooth, with no wings. -   Leafing date: ‘Lost Hills’ flowers significantly before ‘Kerman’,     leafing tends to follow flowering, rather than being synchronous as     with ‘Kerman’.     -   1997: for ‘Lost Hills’—first leafing Apr. 29, 1997 to May 5,         1997; for ‘Kerman’ Apr. 29, 1997 to May 5, 1997     -   1998: for ‘Lost Hills’—first leafing Apr. 20, 1998 to Apr. 27,         1998; for ‘Kerman’ Apr. 20, 1998 to Apr. 27, 1998     -   1999: for ‘Lost Hills’—first leafing Mar. 16, 1999 to Mar. 23,         1999     -   2000: for ‘Lost Hills’—first leafing Apr. 8, 2000 to Apr. 13,         2000 -   Nut description: Nuts are arranged in panicle clusters (FIG. 5).     They are considered drupes. Most flowers abort so that 10 to 20 nuts     per cluster remain. The color of the pellicle for ‘Lost Hills’ is     grey shading to purple-red (RHS 201D). The pellicle is approximately     0.1 mm in thickness. Husk color gradually changes from a light green     in late June to a creamy white color (RHS 8D to 11D) prior to     harvest (FIG. 5). The surface texture of the hull is smooth and     dull, with roughness approximately equivalent to 1000 grit     sandpaper. The hull thickness ranges between 1 and 1.5 mm. Husks     (exo-mesocarp) initially adhere tightly to the shell (endocarp) but     become detached but intact at harvest. Past harvest the husks split,     exposing the shell. Shells split midseason, usually 4 to 6 weeks     prior to harvest. Some shells do not split, producing a nut with low     economic value. This is an important commercial character. Blank     nuts are formed when the embryo aborts but the shell and husk     continue to develop. Blank nuts are commercially undesirable and do     not contribute to yield. ‘Lost Hills’ produces a processed nut that     is larger than ‘Kerman’ in size and similar in color. Nuts are oval,     longer than wide with a round and rounded tip (FIG. 7). The shell     suture is deep, extending from the tip almost to the base and is     symmetrical. ‘Kerman’ nuts are noticeably shorter than ‘Lost Hills’     nuts (Table 3) and are less symmetrical (FIG. 8). Shell sutures are     less symmetrical and a significant percentage of in-shell nuts have     a flattened shape with longer shell sutures on one side, not typical     for ‘Lost Hills’. The color of the ‘Lost Hills’ kernel is green (RHS     144C), darker than the kernel of ‘Kerman’ (RHS 149D). The average     kernel size is 2.02 cm in length, 1.06 cm in width, and 1.05 cm in     depth. The form of the kernel is generally egg-shaped or ovate,     narrowing toward the micropylar end. There is usually an offset     depression near rhte stem end. The stem end of the kernel terminates     in a dull point. The surface texture of the kernel is smooth, with     surface wrinkles oriented in a linear manner from the stem end to     the micropylar end. The average weight of the kernel is 0.68 grams.     The flavor of the kernel is typical of pistachios, similar to     ‘Kerman’, and is slightly sweet and nutty.

TABLE 3 Average individual nut length and width¹ of nuts for ‘Lost Hills’ and ‘Kerman’ on ‘PG-1’ rootstock from a test plot in northwestern Kern County from 2002 through 2004 (7^(th) and 8^(th) leaf). nut length, mm nut width, mm Cultivar 2003 2004 2003 2004 ‘Lost Hills’ 21.3 19.8 12.5 13.4 ‘Kerman’ 17.8 17.0 12.2 12.3 ¹In 2003 the values in the table were based on one 50 nut sample from each variety. In 2004 the values in the table were based on one 50 nut sample from each of the two replicates of each variety. Split nuts as a percentage of total nuts (at Kern Co. location unless otherwise noted):

-   -   2002: ‘Lost Hills’=86%; ‘Kerman’=85%     -   2003: ‘Lost Hills’=92%; ‘Kerman’=60%     -   2004; ‘Lost Hills’=90%; ‘Kerman’=90%     -   2004 at Madera plot; ‘Lost Hills’=74%; ‘Kerman’=59%         Blank nut percentages (at Kern Co. location unless otherwise         noted):     -   Cumulative 2002-2004: ‘Lost Hills’=4.1%; ‘Kerman’=24.2%

-   Harvest date: ‘Lost Hills’ matures 2 to 3 weeks earlier than     ‘Kerman’ (Table 4). This is a valuable commercial character as it     permits growers to better manage the harvest which otherwise occurs     over a short time period. Delayed harvest can also result in high     levels of insect (Naval Orangeworm) damage and associated aflatoxin     contamination.

TABLE 4 Harvest dates for ‘Lost Hills’ and ‘Kerman’ on ‘PG-1’ rootstock from a test plot in northwestern Kern County from 2002 through 2004 (6^(th) through 8^(th) leaf). Cultivar 2002¹ 2003¹ 2004 ‘Lost Hills’ September 4 August 29 August 25 ‘Kerman’ September 4 September 19 September 21 ¹Oil applied in February of 2002 and 2003 to promote earlier bloom in the surrounding orchard (and also in the test plot).

-   Insect damage: Cumulative insect damage on nuts was 0.3% for ‘Lost     Hills’ and 9.3% for ‘Kerman’ from 2002 through 2004.

Additional harvest timing, yield and nut quality information (2002 and 2003) for ‘Lost Hills’ compared to ‘Kerman’ on PG-1 rootstock is shown below. The data from the Kern County Plot is from a different sampling than that shown below. (Table 19).

TABLE 19 2002 2003 ‘Lost ‘Lost Characteristic ‘Kerman’ Hills’ ‘Kerman’ Hills’ nut yield (CPC weight) (5% 12.8 12.6 8.0 16.2 moisture) , lbs/tree split edible in-shell, lbs/tree 10.0 10.9 4.7 14.9 edible in-shell split 78 86 52 89 percentage loose shell and kernel 1 10 0 1 percentage closed shell percentage 20 3 46 10 blank nuts (no kernel) 7 2 6 4 percentage individual nut weight 1.44 1.57 1.25 1.48 (grams) approximate date ready for Sep. 4, Sep. 1, Sep. 16, Aug. 29, harvest 2002 2002 2003 2003

-   Yield: ‘Lost Hills’ had yields, including grower paid yield (after     non-split nuts and insect damaged nuts are accounted for), similar     to ‘Kerman’, but significantly greater yields for 2002, a year with     low chilling. Cumulative yields for ‘Lost Hills’ from 2002 through     2004 were 26% greater for ‘Kerman’, mostly due to improved     performance in 2003. (FIGS. 8-12).     Total yield in lbs/acre:     -   2002: ‘Lost Hills’=1708; ‘Kerman’=1593     -   2003: ‘Lost Hills’=2185; ‘Kerman’=1081     -   2004: ‘Lost Hills’=2998; ‘Kerman’=3032         Yield of split nuts in lbs/acre:     -   2002: ‘Lost Hills’=1474; ‘Kerman’=1355     -   2003: ‘Lost Hills’=2017; ‘Kerman’=641     -   2004: ‘Lost Hills’=2707; ‘Kerman’=2725         Grower paid yield in lbs/acre:     -   2002: ‘Lost Hills’=1591; ‘Kerman’=1474     -   2003: ‘Lost Hills’=2100; ‘Kerman’=861     -   2004: ‘Lost Hills’=2853; ‘Kerman’=2875

Values for total yield, inshell yield, and grower paid yield are presented in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Cumulative nut yields¹ for ‘Lost Hills’ and ‘Kerman’ on ‘PG-1’ rootstock from a test plot in northwestern Kern County from 2002 through 2004 (6^(th) through 8^(th) leaf). CPC assessed Edible split inshell Grower-paid Cultivar weight, lbs./acre nuts, lbs./acre yield², lbs./acre ‘Lost Hills’ 6891 6198 6543 ‘Kerman’ 5707 4721 5211 ¹Yields based on two replications of 10 trees each. Trees were on PG-1 rootstock. ²Grower-paid yield is the weight of harvested nuts for which the grower is paid. This yield is basically the CPC assessed weight minus the weight of the shells from closed shell and shelling stock.

Evaluation data from the Madera County Test plot is presented in Table 6. This data is relatively preliminary, representing only the first harvestable yield. As was true at the Kern County location, split nut percentages were higher for ‘Lost Hills’ and blank nut percentages were lower for ‘Lost Hills’ as compared to ‘Kerman’. Nut weights were similar to ‘Kerman’. Tables 7-18 show additional data on the yield of ‘Lost Hills’ as compared to both ‘Kerman’ (unpatented) and ‘Golden Hills’ (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/086,170).

TABLE 6 Nut characteristics for three advanced selections and ‘Kerman’ on ‘PG-1’ and ‘UCB1’ rootstock in a test plot located in southern Madera County, 2004 blank loose average nut split nut, adhering nuts, shell and weight¹, Cultivar % hull, % % kernel, % grams ‘Kerman’ 59.4 10.6 13.8 3.7 1.29 ‘Lost Hills’ 73.6 11.2 5.2 0.9 1.19 ¹Based on 50 nut samples.

TABLE 7 ANOVA for total yield (CCP assessed weight). Years, varieties, and interactions were significant. DF Sum of Squares Mean Square F-Value year 2 11657142.111 5828571.056 51.397 variety 2 1888152.111 944076.056 8.325 year * variety 4 1710508.889 427627.222 3.771 Residual 9 1020624.500 113402.722 P-Value Lambda Power year <.0001 102.794 1.000 variety .0090 16.650 .880 year * variety .0455 15.083 .668 Residual

TABLE 8 Total yield means table (lbs/acre CCP assessed weight) for varieties x years. Count Mean Std. Dev. Std. Err. 2002, Kerman 2 1593.500 88.388 62.500 2002, Lost Hills 2 1707.500 67.175 47.500 2002, Golden Hills 2 1762.500 540.937 382.500 2003, Kerman 2 1081.500 55.861 39.500 2003, Lost Hills 2 2185.000 537.401 380.000 2003, Golden Hills 2 2048.500 386.787 273.500 2004, Kerman 2 3032.000 52.326 37.000 2004, Lost Hills 2 2998.000 345.068 244.000 2004, Golden Hills 2 4276.000 390.323 276.000

TABLE 9 Mean differences for yield (CCP assessed weight), protected LSDs, and Scheffe tests (5% significance) for varieties. ‘Golden Hills’ had significantly higher yield than ‘Kerman’ at the 1% significance level. ‘Lost Hills’ had higher yields than ‘Kerman’, but only at the 7.3% level and lower yield than ‘Golden Hills’, also at the 7% level. S denotes significant difference at 5%. Mean Diff. Crit. Diff. P-Value LSD Golden Hills, Kerman 793.333 439.819 .0028 S Golden Hills, Lost Hills 398.833 439.819 .0705 Kerman, Lost Hills −394.500 439.819 .0730 Scheffe Golden Hills, Kerman 793.333 567.273 .0090 S Golden Hills, Lost Hills 398.833 567.273 .1780 Kerman, Lost Hills −394.500 567.273 .1836

TABLE 10 ANOVA for split nut yields. Years, varieties, and interactions were significant. DF Sum of Squares Mean Square F-Value year 2 11502633.333 5751316.667 59.748 variety 2 1966566.333 983283.167 10.215 year * variety 4 2154286.333 538571.583 5.595 Residual 9 866340.500 96260.056 P-Value Lambda Power year <.0001 119.495 1.000 variety .0048 20.430 .938 year * variety .0153 22.380 .848 Residual

TABLE 11 Split nut yields means table (lbs/acre) for varieties x years. Count Mean Std. Dev. Std. Err. 2002, Kerman 2 1355.000 171.120 121.000 2002, Lost Hills 2 1474.000 65.054 46.000 2002, Golden Hills 2 1677.500 478.711 338.500 2003, Kerman 2 641.000 106.066 75.000 2003, Lost Hills 2 2016.500 504.167 356.500 2003, Golden Hills 2 1484.000 216.375 153.000 2004, Kerman 2 2725.500 .707 .500 2004, Lost Hills 2 2707.500 327.390 231.500 2004, Golden Hills 2 3968.500 429.214 303.500

TABLE 12 Mean differences, protected LSDs, and Scheffe tests (5% significance) for varieties (split nut yields). Both ‘Lost Hills’ and ‘Golden Hills’ had significantly higher yields of split nuts than ‘Kerman’ at the 1% significance level. S denotes significant difference at 5%. Mean Diff. Crit. Diff. P-Value LSD Golden Hills, Kerman 802.833 405.215 .0015 S Golden Hills, Lost Hills 310.667 405.215 .1169 Kerman, Lost Hills −492.167 405.215 .0226 S Scheffe Golden Hills, Kerman 802.833 522.641 .0051 S Golden Hills, Lost Hills 310.667 522.641 .2732 Kerman, Lost Hills −492.167 522.641 .0645

TABLE 13 ANOVA for % split nuts (transformed data). Years, varieties, and interactions were significant. Sum of Mean P- Pow- DF Squares Square F-Value Value Lambda er year 2 11.297 5.649 23.416 .0003 46.832 1.000 variety 2 5.627 2.813 11.663 .0032 23.325 .964 year * variety 4 11.524 2.881 11.943 .0012 47.771 .995 Residual 9 2.171 .241

TABLE 14 Mean % split nuts (lbs/acre) for varieties x years - untransformed data. Count Mean Std. Dev. Std. Err. 2002, Kerman 2 84.866 6.031 4.265 2002, Lost Hills 2 86.317 .414 .293 2002, Golden Hills 2 95.507 2.152 1.521 2003, Kerman 2 59.602 12.886 9.112 2003, Lost Hills 2 92.241 .387 .274 2003, Golden Hills 2 72.743 3.172 2.243 2004, Kerman 2 89.904 1.528 1.081 2004, Lost Hills 2 90.280 .529 .374 2004, Golden Hills 2 92.737 1.573 1.112

TABLE 15 Mean differences, protected LSDs, and Scheffe tests (5% significance) for varieties (% split nuts - transformed data). Both ‘Lost Hills’ and ‘Golden Hills’ had significantly higher yields of split nuts than ‘Kerman’ at the 1+% significance level. ‘Lost Hills’ and ‘Golden Hills’ were not significantly different with respect to split nut percentages. S denotes significant difference at 5%. Mean Diff. Crit. Diff. P-Value LSD Golden Hills, Kerman .051 .041 .0187 S Golden Hills, Lost Hills −.016 .041 .4090 Kerman, Lost Hills −.067 .041 .0047 S Scheffe Golden Hills, Kerman .051 .041 .0187 S Golden Hills, Lost Hills −.016 .041 .4090 Kerman, Lost Hills −.067 .041 .0047 S

TABLE 16 ANOVA for grower paid yield. Years, varieties, and interactions were significant. DF Sum of Squares Mean Square F-Value year 2 11536201.444 5768100.722 56.150 variety 2 1925492.111 962746.056 9.372 year * variety 4 1888457.889 472114.472 4.596 Residual 9 924545.000 102727.222 P-Value Lambda Power year <.0001 112.299 1.000 variety .0063 18.744 .916 year * variety .0269 18.383 .763 Residual

TABLE 17 Grower paid yield means table (lbs/acre) for varieties x years. Count Mean Std. Dev. Std. Err. 2002, Kerman 2 1474.000 130.108 92.000 2002, Lost Hills 2 1591.000 66.468 47.000 2002, Golden Hills 2 1720.500 509.824 360.500 2003, Kerman 2 861.500 24.749 17.500 2003, Lost Hills 2 2099.500 519.723 367.500 2003, Golden Hills 2 1766.500 301.935 213.500 2004, Kerman 2 2875.500 21.920 15.500 2004, Lost Hills 2 2853.000 336.583 238.000 2004, Golden Hills 2 4122.500 409.415 289.500

TABLE 18 Mean differences, protected LSDs, and Scheffe tests (5% significance) for varieties (grower paid yield). Both ‘Lost Hills’ and ‘Golden Hills’ had significantly higher grower paid yield of split nuts than ‘Kerman’ at the 5% significance level. ‘Golden Hills’ had higher grower paid yield than ‘Lost Hills’ at the 9% significance level. S denotes significant difference at 5%. Mean Diff. Crit. Diff. P-Value LSD Golden Hills, Kerman 799.500 418.605 .0019 S Golden Hills, Lost Hills 355.333 418.605 .0870 Kerman, Lost Hills −444.167 418.605 .0399 S Scheffe Golden Hills, Kerman 799.500 539.912 .0064 S Golden Hills, Lost Hills 355.333 539.912 .2133 Kerman, Lost Hills −444.167 539.912 .1079

-   Chilling requirement: This variety has less of a chilling     requirement for dormancy as compared to ‘Kerman’ resulting in more     uniform spring foliation, flowering, pollination and nut maturity at     harvest. -   Disease resistance and susceptibility: Earlier harvest resulted in     significantly less navel orangeworm damage (0.0% vs. 9.3%). This is     an important characteristic since nut damage on the tree is     associated with aflatoxin contamination. -   Usage: The nuts are primarily sold as a dry “in shell” product for     direct consumption at the retail level. They made be sold either     “salted” or “unsalted”. They are marketed either in packages or are     sold in bulk. Small quantities may be used in confections or ice     cream. The shipping quality of the nut is excellent, and is similar     to kerman when the husk is removed and the nut is dried. The nut     maybe stored dry (<6% moisture) at room temperature for up to one     year, before exhibiting off-type or stale flavor.

‘Lost Hills’ is a female tree with a harvest date 2 to 4 weeks earlier than ‘Kerman’, which is the industry standard. ‘Lost Hills’ produces a higher percentage of split, edible nuts than ‘Kerman’ in all years, especially in 2003 when split percentages for ‘Kerman’ were very poor. Nut size is larger than ‘Kerman’, but weight is similar. The earlier harvest date will permit growers to extend their harvest period and reduce competition for scarce harvesting resources and may reduce disease in the northern production areas of the state by permitting an earlier harvest before fall rains. The cultivar requires less chilling than ‘Kerman’, which improves uniformity of foliation, bloom, nut set, nut fill, and uniformity of nut maturity at harvest in years with insufficient chilling for ‘Kerman’. 

1. A new and distinct variety of pistachio tree substantially as shown and described herein. 